January 8, 1939-May 27, 2020
Ron is survived by daughters-Teresa (Doug) McCoy,
Cindy (Rob) Smith. He leaves behind his grandchildren-Meagan (Scott) Kamphius,
Brad (Amy) McCoy, Stephen (Marie) McCoy, Matthew Smith, Kathryn (Rob) McCoy. Ron is also survived by his great-grandchildren – Liam and Ethan Smith and baby Owen (due June 24, 2020).
Ron is predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Minnie (2016), his parents Frederick Heal and Katie Heal, and brother Bill Heal and sister
Eileen Christionson.
Ron was born in Claresholm, Alberta and raised in the area. Ron joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1957 when he was just 17. Ron married Minnie (Park) Heal in 1959, and they spent time in Calgary and then they were posted to Victoria. Ron got to travel the world by sea, and Minnie stayed in Victoria, where Teresa was born. Ron changed Canadian Forces and switched to the Royal Canadian Air Force and was posted to Trenton, Ontario. Cindy was born in Trenton in 1968 during that time. In 1968 - Mum and Dad moved to Hartell before settling in Turner Valley, Alberta. Dad drove back-and-forth to Calgary for over 30 years to work at Prudential Steel (now Tenaris). Dad loved his job and walked many a mile there between buildings supervising the site.
In 2003 - Dad and Mum moved back to Nanton, where they were raised. Dad volunteered at the Bomber Command and the Royal Canadian Legion, where he was President, Vice and Treasurer over the years. They both enjoyed being “HOME” and spent a lot of time at the Kozy Korner. Dad loved a good book; he loved to play shuffleboard and loved a good laugh. Dad stayed with Mum right until the end of her life and missed Mum every day. Dad, Cindy, and Rob golfed a lot in Stavely - something they all enjoyed, and Dad was golfing up to last year. Dad and his little dog Skeeter were a common sight on the deck of the house basking in the sunbeam. Dad enjoyed hearing the escapades of everyone in our family; family trips and photos on Facebook made him a part of the world, especially when things were locked down as they have been.
The Smith and McCoy family would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Brian Siray (Black Diamond) for all his caring and compassion for Dad. Dad thought the world of Dr. Siray. We want to thank everyone, including the First Responders that assisted Dad. Thank you to all his friends that kept Dad company after losing Minnie. He really loved the visits and phone calls.
Due to the current conditions of the world, the family would like to hold a memorial for dad in the fall.
Should you desire, any donations can be made to
the Kozy Korner (P.O. Box 805, Nanton, AB,
T0L 1R0) and the Royal Canadian Legion,
Branch 80 (same address) in Dad’s name.
To email condolences, please visit
www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, High River. (403-652-2222)
